THIRD TRIAL

[bathymetric]

[ Two bodies this week. As a result, it's a little longer before Mayor Fontaine's voice calls out over the loudspeakers. ]

All right, that'll do, all of you. Get to the bathyspheres. Trial time.

[ There's fewer bathyspheres this week, aren't there? It's starting to get really noticeable. One by one, alone or in pairs, you descend into the depths. The bottom of the seafloor, a place no human life was meant to travel to unassisted. It's dark, until it isn't, the same bio-luminescent slugs as before lighting up the area and revealing the great glass dome in which the trial takes place.

Within, three more podiums have gone dark. They remain empty as you all gather around into the circle.

The projector clicks on, and you see the silhouette of Mayor Fontaine above you. ]

We all know why we're here. Florida Man and Cryptobro got themselves got. Up to you to figure out who did it, or... well, you know by now.

[ Welcome to your third trial. ]

Comments

[buriedstar]

He did, didn't he?

[ He really doesn't need to say it but he does anyway. His expression is curiously blank until the end where he just...lets out a sigh and smiles. ]

Vhloran-ie [ Honorific added on again, the new one he's been using all day. ] I think you'll get the fight you wanted after all of this. Don't disappoint me, hm?

[vholran]

Yes, that's exactly right.

[ ... ]

I won't. See to it you make it out, Seo Dawon.

I'd be disappointed in you if you didn't.

[ He then, perhaps, in the midst of a fight or right before it all goes down, tosses something black his way. Please catch it. ]

[buriedstar]

You already know who I am, don't you?

[ He catches whatever it is without missing a beat. He'll look down at it momentarily but first: ]

Of course I won't disappoint you. Make sure you watch me.

[vholran]

[ It's an interesting device. Once the other gets a chance to play it, well. He will see later. ]

I will.

[ Vholran reaches out, fingers aiming to lightly brush against the other man's cheek, albeit briefly. ]

Not even a supposed execution will be able to stop me.

[buriedstar]

[ ...oh. He doesn't move away from the touch because Seo Dawon does not retreat from anything, mercilessly so. Conflicts, challenges, relationships. But he does startle for a moment, a blink and the bright crimson of his eyes as wide as a blood moon.

There's a breath out, an amused smile curling at the corners of his mouth as he catches just what's transpired. Never one to be outdone, in the next moment he's reaching for Vholran's fingers with his free hand (tape securely in the other), his left, which bears a certain sigil. Maybe he won't be the only one who's surprised by the contact.

His eyes slide closed as he lets many thoughts slide past him, smile still present. ]

You don't need to tell me, I know how this game works.